TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen’s decision not to stand in the general election coincided with a meeting of the Laois/Offaly Fianna Fáil executive last night. During the meeting members were informed that only one candidate was to run in each county.
The decision has led to divisions in the party with members in Laois and Offaly hoping to run two candidates. Former general election candidate Cllr John Foley issued an ultimatum after a tense phone call with Micheál Martin.
Cllr Foley said: “I had my mind made up before I went in that we needed to be positive as the Fianna Fáil organisation, as a Fianna Fáil group and right across the board and I believe we can do good things. I took a call from our leader in the last 10 minutes, from Micheál Martin himself, and he indicated to me that as leader he only wants to run one candidate in Offaly and one candidate in Laois.
“What he said to me was that the figures didn’t add up and I disagreed with him. I told him I did not believe that . . . I told him it was my view that he had got it wrong.
“My own organisation Comhaire Dáil in Offaly, of which I am very proud to be associated with, I am very proud to be with, has asked me to give him to five o’clock tomorrow (Tuesday) to see what takes place. On the basis of that I have given the organisation until five o’clock tomorrow evening to confirm whether they are running one candidate in each county or two. They know my position. I will be making an announcement by six o’clock tomorrow,” said Cllr Foley.
No matter what happens at the Laois/Offaly selection convention today, Cllr Foley said his name will appear on election posters in the coming weeks.
Mr Cowen’s decision not to run has been greeted with sadness but little surprise in his native county. “The announcement was no surpise,” remarked Fianna Fáil Cllr Finian O’Neill. “I would like to wish him and his family well in the future.” He said that the level of pressure being placed on the Taoiseach could not have been endured for much longer.